Todd Dunivant continuing to improve as he targets return for Real Salt Lake first leg

CARSON, Calif. – A right MCL sprain has kept Todd Dunivant on the shelf for the LA Galaxy’s last two league matches, but with the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs set to begin, the left back is moving ever closer to returning to the field.

Dunivant suffered the injury during the closing stages of LA’s victory over the Montreal Impact on Oct. 16 and missed the team’s remaining two regular season matches as well as their CONCACAF Champions League group stage finale against Isidro Metapán. On Friday, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena confirmed that Dunivant trained fully with the club on Thursday and Friday with an eye to allowing him to be available for selection against RSL.

The defender himself gave no assurance that he’ll be back in action, but did admit that his condition is improving.

“It’s been good. I've been working really hard to come back ahead of schedule and it’s been good,” said Dunivant, who admitted the injury diagnosis was initially more severe. “I think fitness wise I’m doing pretty well and now it’s just getting the confidence back with cutting and the lateral stuff. I’m pushing to try and be ready for Sunday. “

The Galaxy will need Dunivant at full strength against an RSL attack that boasts an array of weapons from target forward Alvaro Saborio, tricky attacker Joao Plata as well as midfielders Javier Morales, Luis Gil and Ned Grabavoy.

“You can’t hobble into the playoffs and Greg has done a good job filling in as well. We have options so that’s a good thing. RSL brings a lot of firepower… so we've got a lot to deal with,” said Dunivant. “They have a lot [in the attack] and there’s a reason that they were in the hunt for the Supporters’ Shield this season. This is a grizzled playoff team that knows how to win in November.”